Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) serves the National Capital Region of Canada, including Ottawa City and Gatineau City on both sides of the Ottawa River.
The airport is located 15 km south of downtown Ottawa. It takes about 20 minutes of driving to go between the two. YOW is Ontario's second-busiest airport after Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
The majority of traffic at Ottawa Airport consists of government and business travelers, which is why the airport has a lot more traffic during weekdays and, unlike similarly sized Canadian airports, does not have a big seasonality due to tourism. In 2025, Ottawa Airport handled just under 5 million passengers, ranking as the sixth-busiest in Canada.
Major Airlines - Porter Airlines, Air Canada
Ottawa Airport is a hub for Porter Airlines. In recent years, the airline has significantly increased its operations. It offers direct flights to Toronto (Billy Bishop and Pearson), Montréal, Halifax, and western Canada using both jet aircraft and turboprops. With a total of more than 30 destinations served, Porter Airlines is the largest airline at YOW. Its seasonal network also includes several cities in Florida, USA, and the Caribbean.
Air Canada is the airline with the second-most flights at Ottawa Airport. It operates direct daily flights to Canada’s largest cities, a long-haul route to London, and seasonal services to the Caribbean for the holiday segment. Some of the regional flights are operated by Air Canada Express instead.
WestJet also operates key domestic routes, especially to its bases in Calgary and Edmonton.
Other Canadian carriers present at YOW include Air Transat, Air North, Canadian North, and Propair.
Very few foreign airlines fly to Ottawa. Most notably, Air France has a direct flight to Paris every other day, while United Airlines/United Express has direct flights to a handful of American cities, such as Chicago and Washington.
Click here to see all airlines at Ottawa Airport and their routes.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Ottawa Airport has one passenger terminal for all flights:
Arrivals are on the Ground floor (Level 1).
Departure gates and offices are on Level 2.
Check-in, security, and US pre-clearance areas are on Level 3.
Ottawa Airport has US Border Pre-clearance facilities. After the common Security checkpoint, passengers on US-bound flights proceed to an additional checkpoint that leads to a dedicated preclearance area physically separated from the main departures hall.
The central security checkpoint opens at 4:00 AM from May to November, or at 3:00 AM from November to April. The US checkpoint is open between 4:15 AM and 7:30 PM.
Staying overnight in the landside area is generally allowed. You cannot go airside before the security checkpoint opens, though.
There are 24 gates in total, arranged along a single corridor:
Gates 1-6, 11, and 12: only US transborder flights.
Gates 13 to 28: Domestic and international flights interchangeably.
Ottawa Airport is not a major transfer hub, and most flights are typically the beginning or end of the passenger’s journey. Still, YOW is a wonderful airport for a layover because it’s relatively small, security is quick, and there are plenty of places to kill time between flights.
The recommended connection time is 20 minutes between domestic flights, 60 minutes for international flights, or 75 minutes for US-bound flights.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
To use the free WiFi provided by Ottawa Airport, simply select the YOW WiFi network and follow the on-screen prompts to connect. It is unlimited in both bandwidth and duration.
Other passenger services at Ottawa Airport include:
ATMs: There are ATMs of major Canadian banks in the public area of the domestic departure hall, and an ICE ATM in the Arrivals hall. At least 1 ATM in each of the airside area and the US-bound flights area.
Currency Exchange: ICE Currency Exchange desks are located in the public area on Level 1 (9 AM to 9 PM) and on Level 3 (3:30 AM to 7:30 PM).
Animal relief area: Your pets can have a go near Gate 18 (airside) and on Level 2 of the US-bound flights area.
Baggage carts: Free of charge and in several places throughout the terminal, including the Parkade (P1), each terminal entrance, and in the Baggage reclaim.
Baggage storage: A service offered by PARS 2000 on Level 1, landside. Open 24/7. Costs 7-10 CAD per item, per day.
Breastfeeding rooms: In several places airside, including the US-bound flights area.
Kids' play area: Located near Gate 15.
Shoe shine: Near Gate 15.
SAVM VIP Assistance Service: Requires prior appointment.
Observation deck: Landside on Level 3.
Smoking areas: Smoking is only allowed in designated areas outdoors at the north end of Level 1 in Parking Lot 02.
Chapel: Landside on Level 1.
Lounges at Ottawa Airport
Ottawa has 2 lounges, one being airline-specific and one independent and open to passengers of all airlines:
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge: Located airside, near Gate 18. Available to eligible Air Canada customers and Star Alliance Gold cardholders. Opens at 4:15 AM and closes at 9:30 PM.
Aspire Lounge: A common-use lounge open to all passengers regardless of airline or ticket class. It accepts various membership passes, and walk-ins are welcome, too. The entrance fee is 50 CAD for a 3-hour pass. It is located on the right-hand side just after gate 18, airside. Open from 5 AM to 8 PM daily.
Facilities in both lounges include hot food, snacks, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, WiFi, dedicated workspaces, comfortable seating, and more.
There are no lounges in the US preclearance area, but you may be able to use one of the two lounges before entering US security and immigration. Just allow extra time for the US pre-clearance check.
Dining Options at YOW
There are only about a dozen dining options at Ottawa Airport. Most are concentrated in the post-security central hall, immediately after security.
Before you go through Security, or if you’re waiting for a friend to arrive, you have the following options:
Bridgehead: A Canadian coffee house that prides itself on its dedication to sustainability. Open from 6 AM to 9 PM in Arrivals.
Subway: A popular fast-food sandwich shop. Open from 6 AM to 8:30 PM on Level 3.
Tim Hortons: An iconic Canadian coffee and fast food chain. Open from 5 AM to 7 PM on Level 3.
There are also a few vending machines stocked with drinks, chips, and confectionery.
After Security, options are more varied. If you’re not sure what to eat, go to the Canal Market Hall, a multi-station food hall featuring several cuisines. Individual cafes, bars, and restaurants airside include:
Big Rig Kitchen & Brewery: Serves upscale pub fare from salads to burgers. Located in the Center Court and open from 4 AM to 8 PM daily.
Bridgehead: The coffee chain’s other shop is in the Center Court, where you can fuel up on freshly brewed coffee, tea, or pastries before your flight. Open from 4:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
Starbucks: located near Gate 24. Open from 4:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
- Tim Hortons: The famous Canadian brand has shops:
In the general airside area, near Gate 15. Open from 3:30 AM to 7 PM.
In the US-bound flights area, on Level 3. Open from 4:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Urban Crave: choose from international street food, local craft beers, Canadian wines, spirits, and more. Located in the US-bound flights area on Level 2. Open from 4:30 AM to 7 PM.
Zak’s: A local Ottawa favorite diner that offers all-day breakfast, poutines, and milkshakes. Located near Gate 24 and open from 4:30 AM to 8 PM.
Transport to and from the airport
Ottawa Airport is only about 10 kilometers from the city. It takes less than 20 minutes by car via Rd 79 S under normal conditions.
Public transportation is provided by OC Transpo. You have two main options:
- Bus Route 105: Runs every 30 minutes, 24/7, but with slightly different routes between day and night:
During the day, it connects Uplands Drive, the airport, and St-Laurent Station.
During the night, it runs north of Hurdman Station and to/from Rideau Station.
Line 4 of the O-Train: Connects Airport station to the South Keys station, every day from 6:00 am to midnight.
Ottawa Airport Station.
There are also several private transport options at YOW:
Taxis: Available outside the centre door. Rides to the city center cost around 40 CAD.
Rideshare: For Uber, the pick-up location is at Pillars 12 and 13.
Hotel Shuttles use Pillars 13-15.
Charter buses and Park'N Fly use Pillars 15-16.
Last but not least, you can rent a car directly at Ottawa Airport. Several companies provide services at the airport, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Routes, and Thrifty. All companies have their counters inside the terminal, except for Routes, which is located on 2644 Letrim Road.
Parking at Ottawa Airport
Ottawa Airport provides official parking in the form of one covered garage and one uncovered lot:
P1 Parkade: Covered parking, connected to the terminal via skywalks. Costs 6 CAD per 30 minutes, up to a daily maximum of 26 CAD.
P4 Long-term/Overheight: Surface parking, a short walk from the terminal building. Costs 6 CAD per 30 minutes, up to a daily maximum of 21 CAD. Weekly stays cost 105 CAD, while monthly stays cost 210 CAD.
In addition, there is a Cell Phone Lot, where you can wait for free inside your vehicle before going to the terminal to pick up arriving friends or family. This lot is less than a minute's drive from the curbside area.
Electric Vehicle charging stations are available in the Parkade (P1) and across from the Cell Phone Lot.
You can pay for your parking online before your stay or at one of the automated pay stations in the Terminal or at either parking facility.
Hotels near YOW
There are three hotels within the airport’s grounds:
Alt Hotel: The closest hotel to the terminal building. It’s next to the exit of the P1 Parkade and connected to it via a fully enclosed walkway. It offers a 24-hour fitness centre, an on-site pizzeria, and meeting rooms.
Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Airport is located 1 kilometre from the terminal, across the EY Centre. It offers an indoor swimming pool and an exercise room, free parking, and an on-site restaurant and bar.
Fairfield by Marriott: Also located across the street from the EY Center, besides the Hilton. Offers the same amenities.
All three hotels offer complimentary shuttles to/from the terminal for their guests.
Click here to see more information about airport hotels near Ottawa Airport.
Ottawa, ON, Canada
